The Josephine Elizabeth Seaton Franklin Foundation, Incorporated was conceptualized in 1990 by members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority’s Theta Rho Omega Chapter. Before establishing the Foundation, the chapter’s president, Jacqueline James Lewis, founded the Corporate Relations Committee under the chapter’s programs. The first two committee chairmen were Andrea Harris and Marilyn J. Payton. The committee felt the foundation should stand as a vehicle for expanding philanthropic opportunities, providing tax exemptions for donors, allowing for continued and consistent funding for the sorority’s stated missions, and providing scholarship funds for deserving students in Chicago’s southern suburbs.

Over the next several years, members became fully educated on the purpose of the endowment, investment strategies, sheltering monies, and many other essential facets of establishing a Foundation. 

In 1995, the Foundation was established and chartered. The mission of the Foundation is to provide scholarships and identify needed services in the community. As a tribute to Josephine Elizabeth Seaton Franklin, the members named the Foundation after her. To honor her legacy and dedication to service, the JESF Foundation aims to respond to the needs of the Chicago south suburban community in the areas of Arts, Black Family, Economic Development, Education, Health, and Scholarship.

In 2005, the Josephine Elizabeth Seaton Franklin Foundation, Incorporated received its 501(c)(3) status and became fully active and elected its first directors. Among them were Jacqueline James Lewis, Chairman of the Board, Alfreda Keith Keller, Jacquelyn Heath Parker, Marilyn J. Payton, and Faye Terrell-Perkins. 

In 2020, Chairman of the Board, Patricia Jones Banks, led the Foundation into its twenty-fifth year, solidly fulfilling its mission. Charmaine Azeez, 2021 Chairman of the Board, successfully “carried the torch” and guided the Foundation into its twenty-seventh year.  During her administration, Ms. Azeez was also instrumental in steering the advancement of the Foundation’s website and overall technology development. Since its inception, the JESF Foundation has awarded thousands of dollars in scholarship funds to deserving students and has delivered outstanding service to its communities.